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StrideBox August 2018

8/16/2018

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Disclaimer: A HUGE thanks to the team at StrideBox for allowing me to review their subscription box service.  While I did receive a box to review, no other compensation was received.  As always, I keep it real and all thoughts are strictly my own.
Fitness and health products can be very tricky at times to find out what works best for you.  Rather than going and dropping serious cash on products that you quickly find out that you can't stomach or don't work well for you, StrideBox lets you try various products each month before you decide to purchase large quantity packages of new products. 

​While every product might not be the best fit for you, you can typically find a friend that might want to try it out instead.  The best part about StrideBox is that it is just $19.95/month and you can cancel your subscription any time if you find that you aren't enjoying your box. ​​

Each month when I receive my StrideBox, I am honestly like a kid on Christmas morning.  I absolutely cannot wait to rip into my box and see what kind of goodies await me.
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​One of the cool features of StrideBox is that each box comes with a "Stride Guide" inside.  This guide gives you a breakdown of the products as well as information such as when to use the products in your workout/run and the retail price. To be honest, I typically ignore the "Stride Guide" until I am done unloading the box so I don't ruin the surprise.
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​It is time to dig into this month's StrideBox and check out the goods...
VERB - ENERGY BAR - MAPLE BLUEBERRY
Fact: I LOVE snacks!  Between work, running, the gym, and trying to have somewhat of a personal life, I am on the go A LOT.  In order to avoid things like vending machines and drive-thru, I try to have healthy snacks with me for when I get a little hangry. ​I am always looking for new snacks to throw in my purse, gym bag, or desk drawer to keep me fueled and ready to go. ​

Verb Bars have 90 Calories and a shot of espresso worth of caffeine (65mg) which comes from organic green tea for long-lasting energy without the jitters. 
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ROOTS OF WISDOM - PROTEIN MEAL - CHOCOLATE
My workouts have been becoming more and more physically challenging over the past few months.  I have to let my muscles and body recover right so I am ready to take the next challenge on strong.  Roots of Wisdom is an energy meal shake that helps increase endurance, build your immune system, lowers stress, and helps your body function at optimal levels.​  This sounds like a great post workout recovery shake to enjoy after those grueling workouts.
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HERBLAND - PROTEIN GUMMIES - FANTASTIC FRUIT
I LOVE LOVE LOVE gummies.  In fact, gummies have been a much loved run fuel choice for me over the years.  Any time I get a chance to try out some chew or "gummy fuel" options, I get pretty pumped.  When I saw Herbaland Protein Gummies in this month's StrideBox, I got pretty excited - I mean, gummies that have 10g of protein in them?  WIN!
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PR BAR - ENDURANCE BAR - CHOCOLATE PEANUT
Fact: I am a sucker for all things peanuts and peanut butter.  I mean, if I could eat my weigh in peanuts or peanut butter I would be happy! I pretty much squealed when I saw the Chocolate Peanut Butter PR Bar in this month's StrideBox.  It is basically one of my favorite candy bars but without the guilt.  This is will a great option to eat on the go when heading to the gym straight from work.
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EBOOST - SUPER POWDER DAILY POWER-UP
Running and training obviously takes a toll on your body and the last thing you want to interrupt your training is getting sick.  I am always adding supplements such as Vitamin C and ZInc to help boost my immune system so finding EBoost Super Powder is something I am excited to tryout soon.  Eboost is an blend of vitamins, electrolytes, antioxidants, nootropics, natural caffeine and other daily essentials.  Bonus: the pink lemonade flavor sounds delightful as a cold refreshing drink this summer!
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ACCEL GEL - ENERGY GEL - RASPBERRY CREME
​Accel Gel is an energy gel product that offers a 4:1 carb-protein ratio and a combination of three carbohydrates to maximize energy transport to your muscles.  Accel Gel helps increase endurance by 13% and keeps working after your workout/run as it decreases post exercise muscle damage by 50%. 

Unlike a lot of runners, I am not a gel girl by any means.  There is something about the texture that gets me and I just can't do it, so I have to resort to alternative means of fuel on my long runs.  Even though I love raspberry, this is a sample that I will be passing along to a friend for them to try out.
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STRIDEBOX ESSENTIAL COOLING TOWEL
The dog days of summer are here in Atlanta (and probably where you are too) and I feel like I am counting down the days to fall weather.  I am constantly trying to find ways to stay even a little bit cooler on those hot and humid summer days.  Heck, even running at night it is still way hot out there. While I probably won't run with this cooling towel, I will have it ready to use as soon as my runs are over with.  It will be perfect to have in my car and ready to wet as soon as I get done with a race or training run this summer! 
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One final thing included this month's StrideBox was a recipe for a pre-race pump up smoothie from Katie and Gwen at www.plantpositiverunning.com and a core and upper body Tabata workout from Jenna at www.MinneapolisRunning.com.  This was definitely a nice little bonus to check out and I cannot wait to try both of these out soon - that workout looks so fun and AMAZING!
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As I mentioned earlier, not every sample is going to be something that directly fits your life and likes.  However, I really like the concept behind subscription boxes because you can try new things that you might not have known about before.  StrideBox does a great job providing various products for pre-run, during, and post-run needs.  The products included are definitely geared towards runners and other athletes and are a great fit for you and your fitness goals.
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​​​​​Question of the Day:  Have you ever tried a subscription box?  What kind of products would you like to see in an upcoming StrideBox?
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HomeSpun 5K - July 21, 2018

8/10/2018

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In 2014 I took part in my first Homespun 5K in Rockmart, GA.  I really enjoyed my race experience, so I returned in 2015 but unfortunately was out of town the past two years on race weekend.  When 2018 rolled around and I realized that I was in town the weekend of Homespun 5K, I knew exactly where I would be that morning.
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I set my alarm for o'dark thirty, but I didn't need the alarm this morning.  No, it wasn't the excitement busting out of me for race day, it was INSANE amounts of thunder and lighting.  I looked at the weather app and radar and things were looking pretty rough.

Despite better judgement, Momma K and I decided that we would brave the elements and go out to the race and see what the weather brings.  We figured that worst case we will go get our bibs and shirts and do a 5K later on in the afternoon when the weather clears up or go on the treadmill if needed.

The entire 20 minute drive it was like a disco with the amounts of lightning.  There were so many flashes of light happening one after another along with fairly strong wind and heavy rain.  Are we nuts?!?!
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Momma K and I arrived to First United Methodist Church in downtown Rockmart fairly early.  The arts festival happening downtown was in shambles with many booths ripped apart by the wind (torn tents, thrown merchandise, etc).  We waited in the car for a bit and the rain let up enough that we could safely get from the car to the church with an umbrella. 

The volunteers were absolutely amazing and greeted us with smiles despite the insane weather.  They were hoping to make a call on the race as to whether we would be delay or rescheduled in the next 30 minutes or so.  We headed to the restroom and went back to the car to wait and see.


Just when we thought that the day couldn't get any crazier, the sky went from black to blue within a matter of 20 minutes!
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Just around 7l45 we were given then 'green light' that the race would go on!  With just a 10 minute delay to give time for the water station to be set up and the course to dry up slightly, we were lining up around 8am for an 8:10 start.  Honestly, if you would have asked me an hour ago if we were running this race this morning, my answer would have been 100% NO WAY.

The crowd built up quickly and nearly 90% of those registered made it out (and some race day registrants came out too).  I was ready to run!
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The course was on the Silver Comet Trail which is a nice paved trail.  The Silver Comet Trail is very flat and mostly shaded (which is usually very much appreciated in July) - even with the rain it was still fairly warm (but REALLY humid).  

It was a nice out and back course that took you away from some of the hustle of the city races.  The humidity and heat was definitely rough and I felt the effects of it.  After a nagging achilles this week, I was a little disappointed in my time, but you will have rough races from time to time and you have to listen to your body and do what is right.
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The post race wasn't very big - after all, it is a small hometown race.  However, they did an excellent job making sure everyone had water and a light snack waiting for them at the finish.  Momma K and I hung out to cheer for the 1 mile runners and for the awards ceremony to celebrate all of the winners.  Well, they got to my age group and I was quite surprised - I placed 3rd and Momma K got 2nd in her's!
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This is a great little hometown race for sure.  It is ran very smoothly, starts on time, and is a great course.  I will definitely return in 2019 for another go around on the Silver Comet.  Thank you again to the Homespun coordinators and volunteers for hosting a wonderful event....and thank you Mother Nature for playing nice and clearing up for the race!  (Spoiler: it never even rained another drop all day after 7:30am)  
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(The race shirt is pretty perfect considering that for the longest time we were looking at a storm during the race....)
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Westside 8K - July 14, 2018

8/7/2018

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I am always up for checking out new races and of course unique distances, so when I heard about the Westside 8K/5K happening, I knew that I needed to be a part of this.  Opening in September of 2017, a good portion of the 8K (and a slight portion of the 5K) were held on the Westside Trail.  
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The race started at the West End neighborhood of Atlanta.  Parking was at Lee + White Development which provided a great space for parking and was also conveniently located to MARTA for those wishing to use mass transit.
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There was a fairly major wreck on the interstate just less than two miles from the exit for the race that backed Momma K and I up a good bit.  This is exactly why we always leave for races early and plan ahead for traffic issues.  The delay wasn't too bad, but it was a little stressful for sure.  Despite being at a near standstill for about 10-15 minutes, we got to the race with plenty of time to spare.  We got our bibs and used the restroom with still about 30 minutes before the race start.  I am glad we got there fairly early still because the line for bibs got long fast and wasn't moving quickly.
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About 10 minutes before start time we were able to head down to the road for the start.  I was running the 8K and Momma K was running the 5K.  Since both races started together, we were able to head down to the start together.  
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The first 1.5 miles of the course kept the 5K and 8K runners together until the water station on the Westside Trail where 5Kers turned left and 8Kers went right.  The additional 3 kilometers for the 8K was spent on the Westside Trail doing an out and back to Washington Park before rejoining the 5K for the final mile and a half.  
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As I rejoined the 5K, I ran into a bit of congestion in parts that had narrow stretches of road or trail with multiple people across which meant some serious bobbing and weaving in the final stretch.  I didn't get too aggravated and just kept running my race because I was on a decent pace and didn't want to mental bomb with this little left to run.
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Credit: Atlanta Beltline Run.Walk.Go Race Series
I crossed the finish line just about 30 seconds or slower than my goal.  I always tend to slow down my pace in the hot and humid summer months but I was still aiming for a pace around my 10K pace which I did.  After finishing I cheered on Momma K and my sweet friend, Michelle, from high school.
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Since it has been quite a few years since I ran an 8K last, I smashed my PR!  Hey, a PR is a PR, so I will take it.
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There was a pretty good sized post race party with a number of different vendors along with some light refreshments, however the big party was happening inside of Monday Night Garage!  I have not yet had the change to check out Monday Night Garage, and WOW!  It was so spacious inside and had different areas to enjoy your complimentary post-race beer (for those 21+) or orange juice.  There is a great space for kids to play and the theming throughout was amazing.  The awards were held in here which was perfect because everyone could relax and unwind in the air conditioning and celebrate their accomplishments.
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My favorite part about the post-race party?  Getting to be one of the first ones to check out Big Peach on Wheels which made its race day debut today.  What is that exactly?  Well, it is basically a "food truck" but of all things running.  Granted they can't bring every single item from the store with them, but they have a variety of shoes, apparel, socks, goodr sunglasses, and other running accessories.  I scored a new pair of goodrs in a color that I had been having a hard time hunting down, so it was a win-win for me!
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I am so glad that I was able to run the Westside 8K today.  I was able to check out a different part of town and the newest stretch of the Atlanta Beltline, met up with some friends, and had a good run.  Even though it is a little bit of a haul from home, I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the Westside 8K in 2019. 
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Brittanie's Thyme Organic Charcoal Natural Deodorant

8/3/2018

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***DISCLAIMER:  I was provided product from Brittanie's Thyme in exchange for my honest review.  No other compensation was exchanged for my review.  All thoughts are strictly my own.  I am not a medical professional and not providing medical advice on skin care treatments.
Between running, yoga, and hours in the gym training each week, I sweat....A LOT!  I am always a fairly heavy sweater anyways, but the hot summer in the south get me REALLY sweaty and stinky.  Granted that sweat is a result of my hard work but I don't want to be a stinky and overly sweaty while doing so.  Having a good deodorant in my gym bag is the first line of defense to keep my sweat effects under control, so I was excited when the team at Brittanies Thyme reached out to me to try their organic charcoal deodorant.
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At first I was kind of thinking "it is deodorant, how is it different than what I can buy at the store?"​  After diving into the Brittanie's Thyme website a bit, I learned about the benefits of organic and natural products such as their Charcoal Natural Deodorant.  Some of the features that stood out most to me are:
  • Scented with bergamot  essential oils. NO artificial fragrances.
  • Activated charcoal works as a detox to absorb toxins.
  • Arrow root helps to absorb odors and wetness without the use of aluminum or baking soda.
  • No sticky or greasy feeling left behind. Absorbs easily. 
  • USDA Certified Organic, Certified Gluten Free, Vegan, Cruelty Free.
          (Source: Brittanie's Thyme)
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Black deodorant?!?!  I won't lie, when I saw the color of the deodorant, I freaked out quite a bit because i didn't want black smudges all over me or my clothes.  I was pleasantly surprised when I applied the Brittanie's Thyme Charcoal Natural Deodorant and there was no remnants left on either my clothes or my skin...wow, that would be rather embarrassing doing pull-ups like that!

​The scent was ah-maz-ing!  Thanks to the organic rosemary extract, the scent of was so nice and refreshing.  It was not overly fragrant by any means, but it was something that I felt good about putting on my body and smelling fresh.

I put Brittanie's Thyme Charcoal Natural Deodorant to the test and it performed.  Obviously I am not going to stay 100% sweat-free but my sweat absorbed nicely in my underarms and I was left feeling fresh and clean (and smelling much better than I would without it).  The natural ingredients also did very well on my sensitive skin and did not leave me with irritations.
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Unfortunately, the warm summer weather is here to stay for a bit and my training keeps on ramping up.  Thankfully I will stay a little bit less sweaty and stinky as I continue to push and work towards my fall goals.

Thank you  Brittanie's Thyme Charcoal Natural Deodorant for showing me that organic natural deodorant can definitely prove itself and be just as strong as I am in the gym!  I look forward to keeping you in my gym bag and bringing you along my journey...I am sure my training partners and fellow gym-goers and runners will appreciate you too.
​To learn more about the wide variety of Brittanie's Thyme products including lotions, hand sanitizers, soaps, bug spray and of course Brittanie's Thyme Charcoal Natural Deodorant, head over to their website www.brittaniesthyme.com.  You can also check Brittanie's Thyme on social media: 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BrittaniesThyme
Twitter: www.twitter.com/BrittaniesThyme
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Santa Hustle Discount Code

8/2/2018

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In 2013, our family headed up to the Wilderness At The Smokies resort in Sevierville, TN for our first Santa Hustle weekend.  Santa Hustle is a great themed race for sure.  With fun aspects such as Christmas music, Christmas candy and cookie stations, and more!  The Santa Hustle has quickly become a family tradition of ours.  With the Sevierville, TN race just a short drive away, it makes for a fun family get-away before the chaos of the holidays comes around. 

The Santa Hustle is a race series held in multiple locations across the country each November and December and is a fantastic way to kick off the holiday season!  Each location is different, but Santa Hustle in the Smokies hosts a 5K and a 1/2 Marathon (some locations are 5K only). 
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To check out more details on this year's Santa Hustle Race Series and register for a location near you (or the virtual option), check head over to www.SantaHustle.com!

Are none of the Santa Hustle locations close to you?  Don't worry, you aren't on Santa's naughty list - there is a VIRTUAL option available!  That is right, you chose the time and place you want to Jingle Bell Rock 13.1 or 3.1 miles and you get rewarded with some great Santa swag too!
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Source: Santa Hustle
Want to keep a little extra cash in your stocking when you register for the Santa Hustle race series?  Use code BGILBERT to save $5 on ANY 2018 Santa Hustle 5K or 1/2 Marathon registration (valid on all 2018 locations and virtual option)!
For more details on the Santa Hustle, be sure to check them out on online and on social media:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

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Summer and Fall 2018 Race Discounts!

8/1/2018

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Here we are, half of the of the way through 2018.  How are your race goals coming along? How about saving some cash when registering for your next big race? Here are a few of my favorite races coming up this summer and fall along with some sweet discount codes to help you make your race budget go a little further.
Rock 'n' Roll Race Series - Various Dates and Locations
​​​I am stoked to be a member of the 2018 Rock 'N' Blog team!  I am still trying to solidify my 2018 Rock 'N' Roll Tour, but right now it looks like I am going to be rocking the streets of Chicago, Savannah, and Las Vegas!  No matter what destination you choose to run, it will definitely ROCK! 
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RNRRNB2018 saves $15 on registration for US Marathons & Half Marathons  (excluding Las Vegas) and Montreal
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Santa Hustle 1/2 Marathon & 5K Series - Various Dates and Locations
Want to keep a little extra cash in your stocking when you register for the Santa Hustle race series? Santa Hustle has become a family tradition for us the past few years.  What better way to fully get in the holiday spirit than with a holiday themed race!

Code BGILBERT to save $5 on your registration (valid on all 2018 locations and distances)!
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​ZOOMA Women's Race Series - Various Dates/Locations
One of my favorite memories of 2016 was heading to ZOOMA Half Marathon in Amelia Island.  While it was a whirlwind of a weekend, it was a great race that really focused on women and empowering women each step of the way.  I am honored to be returning as a member of the ZOOMA Ambassador team for 2018. This year there are a number of great locations to choose from including Anapolis, Great Lakes (Lake Delavan, WI), Cape Cod and Amelia Island, FL.
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BRANDI2018 saves 10% off registration for any​ 2018 ZOOMA Event
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There is still a lot of 2018 to crush some goals!  I mean, we write our own stories each day, so fill each day and each page of your book with greatness.  Dream big.  Work hard.  Make it happen! You got this!

Question of the Day:  What race(s) do you have on your 2018 calendar left to run?
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Burn Your Half Off 1/2 Marathon - July 8, 2018

7/31/2018

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Earlier this year you might remember my recap of the absolute most frigid race I have ever ran at the Freeze Your Half Off 1/2 in January.  Despite wicked freezing temps that morning, the race was so well organized and the atmosphere was great despite the weather that I knew I needed to return for the summer installment, Burn Your Half Off.
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Longer distance races are usually very hard to find in my area because even in the early morning hours the heat and humidity can get wicked high (and dangerous), but I was up for the challenge - you just have to slow down, use the shade, stay hydrated and listen to your body.  After an hour or so ride Momma K and I arrived to Tennessee Riverpark about 40 minutes before the race.  I looked at my weather app and while it wasn't nearly as brutal as July in the south typically is...thankfully.  

There were probably around 150 runners if I had to guess between the distances of 5K, 10K, half marathon and marathon and the line to pickup bibs was super fast and easy.  I had just enough time to use the INDOOR restroom, snap a pre-race pic, and head to the start area for our pre-race meeting for race instructions about 10 minutes before start time.
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Today was day two of Burn Your Half Off with races offered both on Saturday and Sunday.  Since I had a race scheduled for Saturday, I had to run Sunday.  The course was made up of two different loops: a west loop and an east loop.  The 5K and 10K were all held within the west loop portion and the half marathon was 3 loops of the west loop and 2 loops of the east (with the marathon being double that) and the all new 50K being 6 loops of each plus a partial loop.
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The east loop was still closed when we started at 7am, so all runners were required to start off with the west loop for their first two loops.  Both loops dead ended at the river so it was a straight shot out and back basically for each loop.  This is the same course as the Freeze Your Half Off that I did in January, so I knew that the course would be basically flat and very scenic.

I made my first two loops of the west loop and really enjoyed the views.  The furthest end at the river's edge was absolutely gorgeous when the sun was rising.  
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Credit: DJT Photography - Danny Tolliver
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After the first loop on the west loop it was time for my first of two loops on the east loop.  The east loop runs almost entirely along the river and goes to the dam and back.  As expected, this portion of the course was the more scenic part.
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There weren't really any spectators along the way, however your fellow runners were AMAZING supporters - like seriously the best fellow runner support I have EVER seen.  For a race of about 150ish runners, there were so many high-fives, 'you are awesome', and even runners with cowbells along the way.  It was really reminds you how awesome this community is and that we are all loving this crazy journey together.  
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Credit: DJT Photography - Danny Tolliver

Every loop you passed through the aid station - which was every 2-3 miles.  There were cheers and music awaiting you along with one of the absolute best aid stations ever.  Whatever you could possible need was here - fruits, salty snacks, a variety of ice cold beverages and more (along with first aid supplies if needed).
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I came into the final stretch of the last loop and was greeted with cheers from Momma K, the amazing volunteers and directors, and some wonderful random families enjoying a morning at the park.  Y'all!  The race had a POOL NOODLE finish line!  I don't know why I got so excited over the pool noodles, but I did.
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Half marathon #105 was now done.  Lets talk medals now.  Up until 2018, Burn Your Half Off and Freeze Your Half Off featured "paper plate medals" where finishers decorate their own paper plates to commemorate their accomplishments.  At Freeze Your Half Off in January they switched things up a bit and offered giant mugs/bowls on ribbons to enjoy your post race cereal or oatmeal out of (or you could use a disposable bowl).   The response of medals was so great that they brought back medals for Burn Your Half Off and they offered some pretty sweet medals. 
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Post-race there was so much food!  From all the fixings to make tacos to chips to fruit to cookies and more there was an abundance of goodies to help you replenish those calories.  The best part about being at the park is that the pavilion has a lot seating and space for the runners, spectators and volunteers to join together and celebrate the accomplishments of everyone.
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This was my second race by Run Awesomesauce and it was just as great as my first - it certainly will not be my last.  Yes, it was a super low key event, but it was very well organized and the team was AMAZING!  They are there to support YOU and want you to succeed.  With a generous course limit of 8 hours and a HUGE aid station in the middle of the course that you pass each loop, support is there for you. 

It are things like this that show what races are made of.  It isn't about the biggest medals or the fanciest courses.  It is carrying about your runners and the community.  This is why this will not by my last race with Run Awesomesauce and why I will definitely be returning back to their running series again soon.
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StrideBox - July 2018

7/27/2018

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Disclaimer: A HUGE thanks to the team at StrideBox for allowing me to review their subscription box service.  While I did receive a box to review, no other compensation was received.  As always, I keep it real and all thoughts are strictly my own.
Fitness and health products can be very tricky at times to find out what works best for you.  Rather than going and dropping serious cash on products that you quickly find out that you can't stomach or don't work well for you, StrideBox lets you try various products each month before you decide to purchase large quantity packages of new products. 

​While every product might not be the best fit for you, you can typically find a friend that might want to try it out instead.  The best part about StrideBox is that it is just $19.95/month and you can cancel your subscription any time if you find that you aren't enjoying your box. ​​

Each month when I receive my StrideBox, I am honestly like a kid on Christmas morning.  I absolutely cannot wait to rip into my box and see what kind of goodies await me.
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​One of the cool features of StrideBox is that each box comes with a "Stride Guide" inside.  This guide gives you a breakdown of the products as well as information such as when to use the products in your workout/run and the retail price. To be honest, I typically ignore the "Stride Guide" until I am done unloading the box so I don't ruin the surprise.
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​It is time to dig into this month's StrideBox and check out the goods...
PURE CLEAN PERFORMANCE - BEET'UMS SPORT CHEW
Unlike a lot of runners, I am not a gel girl by any means.  There is something about the texture that gets me and I just can't do it, so I have to resort to alternative means of fuel on my long runs.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE gummies.  In fact, gummies have been a much loved run fuel choice for me over the years.  Any time I get a chance to try out some chew or "gummy fuel" options, I get pretty pumped.  I am not a huge fan of beets, but I will give them a shot and see...
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AMINO VITAL - ACTION - AMINO AND ELECTROLYTES
Amino VITAL Action is an amino acid drink mix for fast muscle energy and nutritional hydration. Packed with powerful plant-based amino acids and electrolytes, Amino VITAL Action helps continuously hydrate, fuel muscles,  and fight fatigue before it sets in. It also contains NO caffeine and NO artificial sweeteners, colors, or flavorings. 

​I have my favorite hydration, so I am not too inclined to really switch things up at this time.  Typically when I find electrolyte mixes in my StrideBox I pass them along to friends who might be interested in the product. I do have to say though, the lemon flavor seems light and refreshing, so I will likely give this a try. 
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NUUN HYDRATION - VITAMINS - STRAW-MELON
One of the newest products to the nuun product line is nuun Vitamins.  nuun are tabs that you add to your water made with plant based ingredients and are gluten-free, vegan, and soy/dairy free.  With nuun vitamins, you will get 11 vitamins and minerals most of us don’t get enough of plus electrolytes to get you through the day.  I don't know about you, but I am not passing up any chance to get some extra vitamins in me. Oh, and I was sent a very yummy sounding strawberry melon sample, so CHEERS!
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EVOKE - MUESLI - CINNA-MUESLI
Fact: I LOVE snacks!  Between work, running, the gym, and trying to have somewhat of a personal life, I am on the go A LOT.  In order to avoid things like vending machines and drive-thru, I try to have healthy snacks with me for when I get a little hangry. ​I am always looking for new snacks to throw in my purse, gym bag, or desk drawer to keep me fueled and ready to go.  Evoe's organic cinna-muesli is a blend of Gluten Free Oats, Cranberries, Walnuts, Apples, Coconut Oil, Raisin Puree, and Sunflower Seeds in a conveient package that is great for on the go and putting in your yogurt or milk.  This definitely sounds like a perfect mid-day snack.
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BLURUB - NATURAL LIP BALM - UNFLAVORED
I don't know about you but my lips get so dry and chapped year round - especially on long runs - and I am constantly looking for a GOOD lip balm to protect and soothe my lips.  I am a bit of a self-proclaimed lip balm snob, but OMG the Blue Rub Natural Lip Balm is ah-maz-ing! It goes on so smooth and isn't "goopy" or gritty.  Since it has SPF 15, I know my lips will feel great and be protected out in the summer sun.  This is definitely going to be a staple in my running bag ASAP!  Spoiler: while the unflavored is great there is a coconut kiwi flavor that sounds absolutely amazing and I need to find some of that soon.
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WIN - HIGH PERFORMANCE SPORTS DETERGENT
I admit it, I am a heavy sweater so my running gear doesn't exactly smell so fresh after a workout or run. Win Sports Detergent is safe on all high performance fabrics, residue free, removes sweat stains, is environmentally friendly and safe for HE washing machines.

Win Sports Detergent detergent goes beyond athletic apparel and is is ready to take on workout gear such as shoes, hydration packs, yoga mats, towels, and more.  Running gear isn't cheap so I want to make sure that I take care of my gear and also not stink before I even start my workout.
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One final thing included this month's StrideBox were some coupons for some great gear and a card with a recipe for simple huevos rancheros from Stephanie at StephanieHoweViolett.com and a progression long run workout from Emma Abrahamson (who is an Elite Team member of my home track club, Atlanta Track Club).  This was definitely a nice little bonus to check out and I cannot wait to try both of these out soon - that workout looks so fun and AMAZING!
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As I mentioned earlier, not every sample is going to be something that directly fits your life and likes.  However, I really like the concept behind subscription boxes because you can try new things that you might not have known about before.  StrideBox does a great job providing various products for pre-run, during, and post-run needs.  The products included are definitely geared towards runners and other athletes and are a great fit for you and your fitness goals.
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​​​​Question of the Day:  Have you ever tried a subscription box?  What kind of products would you like to see in an upcoming StrideBox?
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Sports Fanatic 5K - July 7, 2018

7/24/2018

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The Kennesaw Grand Prix is a series of 5Ks over the year and is a very well received series by the community.  The race is located fairly close to home, is a well organized race, and is a pretty good little course for sure.  This is definitely one of my favorite local race series and their races are always on my schedule.

If you are from the South, you know that people are kind of passionate about sports and their teams. I am a firm believer that participating in team sports or organizations is such an important part of growing up.  Not only is it fun for kids, it teaches them a lot of fundamentals, motor skills, and teamwork.  Unfortunately, not everyone has the financial ability to allow their children to play in team sports.  Thanks to the events such as the Sports Fanatic 5K, Dave Krache Foundation is able to help provide funding to children in the community to be able to do things such as play baseball, football, etc and even take karate and ballet.  Runners and walkers were encouraged to wear their favorite sports team apparel or colors, so obviously my Georgia Tech apparel and accessories came out today.
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We arrived to the race fairly early (as normal).  There is pretty ample parking at these races, but we had to pickup our bibs, use the restroom, etc so we don't want to be too rushed or stressed.  One of the perks of having a race at a church is that you get to use indoor restrooms!  Wahooo!  (I know, it is the little things...)

There were a few pretty good races happening around town this weekend, plus summer vacations are in full swing, so our group of running friends here today wasn't too big.  We got our bibs and headed outside to meet up with Jennifer and Brendan to get ready to run and also cheer for the 1 mile fun run participants.
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Credit: True Speed Photo
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The crowd was a bit larger today than for the Dream Dash a few weeks ago (another Kennesaw Grand Prix race), but still a little lighter than some of the past races.  I think a lot of people were still out of town from the July 4th holiday or enjoying a bit of rest after Peachtree Road Race. 
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All 6 races in the Kennesaw Grand Prix are ran on the same course.  The course starts at Kennesaw First Baptist Church and heads out towards Swift Cantrell Park.  After a mile long (ish) loop of the park, you head back towards downtown Kennesaw and finish at the Depot.  The course is absolutely one of the most flat courses you will find in metro-Atlanta.  Yes, there are some very minimal 'hills' along the way, but by Atlanta standards, it is pretty darn flat.

I ran a solid first mile - actually, it was one of my fastest miles ever.  Mile two inside of the park was pretty decent with just a slightly slower pace.  I typically slow down a little bit inside of the park because the course is pretty narrow at this point as it is paved trail in the park so maneuvering  around folks can be kind of tricky.  
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The final mile has a bit of a long yet very gradual uphill before the final .2 mile of downhill to the finish line in direct sun and heat, so I slowed down a bit in that last mile.  I had a good race for sure.  While I didn't PR, but I ran one of my best times on this course so I can't be too bummed about that. I gave it all I could, and that is all that you can ask for and got a hug from Scrappy, Kennesaw State University's mascot (bonus!).​
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I waited for Momma K to finish and cheered on other runners coming into the finish.  There were definitely runners of all kinds including super speedy competitive runners all the way to families running together.  

One of my favorite things about the Kennesaw Grand Prix series is that the mayor of Kennesaw greets you at the finish line with high fives.  How cool is that?!?!  After crossing the finish line, I grabbed some water and waited near the finish line to cheer on the runners and wait for Momma K to arrive.
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The post race area was held in the depot area near the finish line.  There were a few vendors set up, but to be honest I didn't really stay in here very long.  We did stick around for a few minutes to drink some water and snacks while they did a raffle for some running shoes from Big Peach Running Co.  We took some pictures, chatted up a bit then headed over to the post race area before grabbing some breakfast.
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Oh, and a HUGE thank you to Kona Ice for being on hand (and Jennifer for having a few bucks cash on her) so we could get some snowcones to cool down with!  Take note summer races, a snow cone truck at the finish line is very much appreciated.
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The Kennesaw Grand Prix Series is a great series for sure, and I highly recommend any of their races.  They are all super organized and you cannot beat the course. Seriously, you won't find many flatter 5K courses in the Atlanta area.  To learn more about the Kennesaw Grand Prix series and register for their upcoming races, be sure to check out their website.  Just a head's up, the next one is August 4th for the Heroes 5K.
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Peachtree Road Race - July 4, 2018

7/20/2018

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A few years ago, our family started a tradition of staying at a hotel near the start line the eve of Peachtree Road Race (and July 4th).  We make it into a mini-staycation and enjoy a weekend of family fun.  The biggest perk is the huge convenience of being basically right next to the start line on race morning.  After work, dinner, and checking into the hotel, I got my "flat Brandi" ready and made sure that I had everything out and ready for the morning.
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As my friends started to arrive via MARTA to the race area, I started getting texts of excitement.  Even though it my my absolute favorite day of the year and I was ready to get this party started, my bed was way too comfy to get out there at 5:30.  I will be there shortly, dear friends.  Atlanta Track Club made a great decision earlier this year to move up the start time by 30 minutes.  Yes, you have to get up a bit earlier, but it really helped with the summer heat in Atlanta.

The beauty of staying right at the start line is that you can leave a lot later (especially if you have a later corral).  I was meeting up our run squad in our corral around 6:45, so I didn't even leave the room until after 6:30 which was great.
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We timed our departure from the hotel about perfectly and we did not have to wait too long before our corral took off.  ​Our corral was basically a continuous moving flow when we got in it.  With start waves going off every 4 minutes or so, the process went by pretty quickly.  We hung out, chatted it up with friends, and stayed hydrated.  
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A special thank you to Atlanta Track Club for humoring us by sharing my post on the jumbotron before we started.  If you read the caption below, you know that we are totally serious runners....  
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With that beautiful American flag flying above our heads, it was go time!  Time for 6.2 mile party from Lenox to Piedmont!  LET'S DO THIS!
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People often ask about how crowded the course is at the start of the corrals.  The first .25 mile or so was a little "congested" but it thinned out pretty quickly.  ​You have all lanes of Peachtree Road to run in, so there is a lot of room to spread out and just settle in.

Boom!  Mile 1 is in the books!  The first mile is the dullest of the 6.2 miles as there are a lot of barricades the first half mile-sih, so spectators cannot really line the streets here.  We did manage to find some new friends with a water polo team and ran into our ol' friend Baton Bob.
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Did you know that each year, approximately 200,000 people line the Atlanta streets to cheer on the 60,000+ runners?!? Now THAT is one heck of a support team on your side!  As we closed in on completing our first mile the crowd support really picked up.  There are a lot of churches, businesses and shopping centers along the course which host a number of cheer zone parties.

Atlanta Track Club does a phenomenal job of positioning water stations about every mile, but sometimes the kindness of others really benefits you on course.  Hydration was key today, and I cannot express enough gratitude for the volunteers (and other spectators) for providing support for the runners today.

A special shout out to our friend Jill and my sweet little running bestie, Abigail, for coming out to cheer us on and bringing out a wide variety of snacks and drinks for us (they even took special orders for Jill's cooler...she is the best!).  Abigail is a few months shy of the age requirement for Peachtree, so she had to sit one final one out but she made sure that all 60,000 runners knew her plan to run in 2019.  
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Around mile 2, you pass the Episcopal Cathedral St. Philip where many runners can get blessed with Holy Water.  This is definitely one of the most notorious parts of the Peachtree Road Race course and one of my favorite parts of the course.
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Even though many spectators were cheering for us and telling us we were "almost there", they lie.  HAHA!  Seriously though, thank you for the cheers friends.  Like that though, we were at mile 2 and about 1/3 of the way to Piedmont Park.

There were a number of spectators and organizations that hand out refreshments along the way including watermelon, popsicle, water, beer, and more.  We even met up with "Sherpa Steve" (Julia's husband) who was chasing us down along the course with cold water and such.
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Another part of the Peachtree Road Race experience is seeing all of the patriotic costumes and fun signs.  While is it common to see costumes or themed outfits along the way, some folks take it to a whole different level.  Yes, you see the typical Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty costumes.  You even see some people having fun with body paint to show their American spirit.  Well, there are even some costume that make you go "hmmmmm."  I tried to snap some great costume pictures, but I got distracted...
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One of my favorite parts of the course is passing Shepherd Center going up Cardiac Hill around Mile 3.  The Shepherd Center is a spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation hospital located in Atlanta. Typically, a lot of the patients and their family and friends line the street here and cheer on the runners.  Due to the heat, there weren't as many out, but their cheers were still heard loud and clear.
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People laugh when I describe Peachtree Road Race as a 6.2 mile party (or even a buffet).  Yes, you can run this race seriously and focused, but I choose a different route.  This day is about fun for me. I like to soak up the memories, give high-fives, take some selfies, and against all rules my mother gave me in life, I politely accept snacks from strangers along the way.  I even got sweet puppy kisses!  ​
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We have no shame and are constantly on the look out for local celebrities on the race course.  One of our absolute favorites is the King of the Wizometer, Chesley McNeil  (meteorologist on 11Alive).  The weather might not have been an 11 on the Wizometer, but the level of fun was off the charts.
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A fun surprise on the course this year was the Ted's Montana Grill who had lemonade and cookies for us.  I never say no to cookies!

There is always one spot on the Peachtree Road Race course that I must stop at....Mellow Mushroom at mile 4!  Y'all!  Mellow Mushroom is out there with FREE PIZZA AND BEER!  WHAAAAT!?!?!  Obvs, we threw the awesome staff a few bucks for a tip because they deserve it, but who can pass up FREE pizza and beer!?!?  I mean, if you were going for a PR or something...that wasn't our plan.  We stopped for our snacks ;-) 
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My claim to fame this Peachtree?  Using the porto-potty just before mile 5 and doing so in Shalane speeds.
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It started getting quite muggy and a little toasty in the last mile or so.  Just when you think that you have nothing left in the tank, check out this gentleman we found in the home stretch.  24 Peachtrees and 79 years old!!!!  GOALS right there, goals.
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As we entered into the final stretch of the course in Midtown the High Alert flags went up.
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Thank you random strangers out there today cheering for me like they knew little ol' me today.  You losing your mind as I go past you makes me feel like I am unbreakable today.  You gave me strength to pushing forward and doing so with a smile on my face.  You giving up your holiday morning to line the streets and pass out thousands of cups of water means so much to me.  Coming out with your trombone and bongo drums, yep, we hear you and love you too.  Oh, and you sir that loves the smell of 60,000 runners, I am glad you love that putrid odor, because I have smelled myself the past 5 miles and I can only imagine how lovely MARTA will smell shortly.  A special shout out to the crew from November Project that brought the party, the noise, and all the high-fives!
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Oh the turn onto 10th Street, how I love you!  Energy along the course is amazing, but something magical happens at the left turn.  It is like no matter how exhausted you get, all the excitement gets amplified.  Thanks to Mizuno particularly for setting up an amazing cheer zone here, the "Mizuno Wave Zone." 
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After 6.2 miles of fun, selfies, and a whole lot of sweat, I crossed the finish line of my 10th Peachtree Road Race.  Life is only as fun as you make it!  I had an absolutely fantastic time this morning and would not have had it any other way.
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After you cross the finish line, you are sent towards a runner only area of Piedmont Park to receive water and your coveted finisher shirt.  There are chutes for different shirt sizes and the process is very quick and easy thanks to the great work of the volunteers!  Once again, Atlanta Track Club utilized pre-packaged food boxes so you had less stuff to have to juggle and it help make sure that there was enough food for everyone.

Having the finish line at Piedmont Park provides an absolutely wonderful area for runners and their families and friends to hang out afterwards.  A family reunion area greets runners and their family and friends with a place to find each other post-race.  There are some great photo opportunities and some freebies set up throughout the park as well.   Probably one of the most popular features is the ability to spread out and stretch out in the grass for a bit.

As we did last year, we all headed to the Atlanta Track Club post-race party at Park Tavern to meet up.  For the past few years, Atlanta Track Club had a tent in Piedmont Park for members to gather after the race.  Three years ago, they gave members a special treat with the party at Park Tavern and it was such a hit, they did so again last year and this year.  We definitely felt like VIPs after the race - just one of the many perks of being an Atlanta Track Club member.  We didn't get to hang out long as everyone was waiting on us to head back to the hotel and to eat.  Ooops.
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The "worst" part of the Peachtree Road Race experience is the hike back to MARTA.  There are very few ways to get around walking back to MARTA, so a majority of the masses must make the haul after 6.2 miles.  You have to get back to your car, hotel, etc somehow, but it is is a good opportunity to keep your legs moving a bit.  Julia's sweet husband taxi'ed Momma K, Papa J and I back to the hotel, so the dreaded walk and trip on MARTA was avoided.  THANK YOU STEVEN!  

Thank you to the wonderful team at Atlanta Track Club, volunteers, law enforcement and emergency responders, spectators, and fellow runners for a wonderful morning of fun and festivities. 10 Peachtree Road Races down, many more to go!  See you in 2019 for the 50th anniversary!
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Are you interested in joining in on the fun of future Atlanta Track Club events?  There are a number of races happening in the upcoming weeks around metro-Atlanta.

August 4th - 680 The Fan Tailgate 5K (FREE for members)
August 18th  - Atlanta's Finest 5K, One Mile & 50m Dash
September 15th - Mercedes-Benz Stadium 5K/Walk Like MADD
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Interested in becoming a member of the Atlanta Track Club and guarantee your entry to the 50th Peachtree Road Race in 2019?  Learn more about member benefits and become a member here.  
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    Brandi

    I love to run and most importantly I love to have FUN while I run....I am the "Funner Runner"

    I enjoy spreading running cheer on the race course with fun themed outfits and the occasional race costume.  

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